Which of the following institutions was NOT among the earliest leaders in artificial intelligence research?

Introduction / Context:
The origin of academic AI is linked to a small set of institutions that hosted seminal conferences, labs, and researchers. Knowing who the early leaders were helps contextualize the field’s development from the 1950s onward. This question asks you to identify which listed school was not among the earliest leaders.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “Early leaders” refers to the 1950s–1960s formative period.
• Institutions like MIT and Stanford are historically recognized AI hubs.
• Dartmouth hosted the famed 1956 AI workshop (Dartmouth Conference).

Concept / Approach:
Dartmouth College (often informally referenced) hosted the 1956 workshop where the term “Artificial Intelligence” was popularized. MIT and Stanford established world-leading AI labs (e.g., MIT AI Lab; Stanford’s AI Lab and later HAI). Harvard, while an elite university, was not typically cited as an early AI leader compared to these institutions and later CMU (also not listed here). Therefore, the correct choice for “not among the early leaders” is Harvard University.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Histories of AI commonly emphasize Dartmouth, MIT, Stanford, and CMU as earliest leaders. Harvard’s stronger AI prominence emerged later and in more specific subareas, not as a foundational early hub.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Dartmouth University: hosted the pivotal 1956 event.
• MIT: home to an early, influential AI lab.
• Stanford: site of the famous SAIL and major expert-system work.
• None of the above: incorrect because Harvard is the outlier.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the Dartmouth conference with a department; overlooking CMU’s role (not listed here) when gauging “early leaders.”

Final Answer:
Harvard University